2012 Toyota Tacoma

Posted: 04/11/2012 - 12:30 AM ET

With a starting MSRP price of well under $20,000 – actually it’s $16,875 – consumers should already be getting excited over the 2012 Toyota Tacoma. It has retained the same stylish grille as models of previous years, while adding multi-reflector halogen headlights. They’re not bi-xenon, but they’ll definitely provide optimal lighting, even on the darkest of nights. Even on the base model, the Regular Cab, the bed of the truck has been drastically improved, in terms of reinforcement and overall sturdiness. The lining is a fiber-reinforced Sheet-Molded Composite, providing incredible durability. The bed also has tie hooks and cleats, for securing cargo that goes over the rim of the bed. Standard on every 2012 Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab are 15” steel – not aluminum – wheels. The Tacoma Access Cab has 16” steel wheels, as does the Double Cab. Both have upgrade options for 16” or 17” alloy wheels. Aluminum alloy wheels provide quicker and more responsive braking and accelerating than steel wheels; however steel wheels are stronger and more suitable for off-road driving. The Access Cab and Double Cab come with both front and rear mudguards; the Regular cab only has rear mudguards. The former two models also come with front and rear skid guards, while the base model does not.

All models come with AM/FM/XM/MP3/CD capabilities. The Sirius XM satellite radio comes with a free three-month trial of its services. The base models has a bench seat that is covered in fabric and 4-way adjustable. The middle and high-end models have fabric-lined 4-way adjustable seats, however the driver and front passenger’s seat are separate and there are seats in the back for 3 people. All models have a tilting and telescoping steering wheel, for driver convenience. One of the biggest complaints from consumers and test drivers is the lack of a GPS navigation screen – or any display screen at all, for that matter. However, when you consider the fact that the starting price is under $17,000, you can’t expect too many amenities.

The Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab runs on 2WD, with a 2.7-liter 4-cylinder 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic with 159 horsepower. The Access Cab 4x4 runs on a 4.0-liter V6 with 236 ponies straddled under the hood. The Double Cab boasts the same as the Access Cab. Both offer 266 lbs./ft. of torque, at 4,000 RPM. Believe it or not, they are all classified as Low-Emission Vehicles, by the EPA. All are offered in either manual or automatic transmissions. The 2012 Tacoma also has a coil-spring double wishbone front suspension, with a leaf-spring rear suspension, equipped with staggered outboard-mounted gas shock absorbers. Both the front and rear suspension come with stabilizer bars, for optimum handling, even in the most grueling of off-road excursions. For optimal braking performance, Toyota has included ventilated front and solid rear drum disc brakes. Impressive for a truck is the turning diameter for the Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab, at just 36.7 feet. The Access Cab and Double Cab have a turning diameter of 40.7, which is still quite good for a 4x4 truck.

If, as a consumer, you are looking for an affordable, durable and quality truck the 2012 Toyota Tacoma should be somewhere near the top of your list. So what are you waiting for? Go to your local Toyota dealership and ask to test drive a Tacoma today.